Thousands of people continue coming every day to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv to make a statement. The statement - being different for everyone - varies between the support of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations and demands of resignation of the government, to condemning the beating of the peaceful protesters and unacceptance of getting closer to Russia and the Customs Union.

As I read about Ukraine in preparation for my trip, many articles stated: Ukrainians don’t smile unless you are a close friend. Prior to my arrival, I imagined a stone-faced society of statues going about their daily lives...